LIVE: The Western Force have started fast for a 7-0 lead over the ACT Brumbies after seven minutes at HBF Park.
The Force are gunning for their maiden finals appearances after a late collapse saw them narrowly miss out.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
New recruits Nathan Hastie, George Bridge and Franco Molina are among the starters set for their club debut.
Meanwhile, it's a new era of sorts for the Brumbies after the departure of a host of Test players.
Kadin Pritchard will make his starting debut at outside centre, with two further set for their debuts off the bench.
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Force 7-0: The Force are finding success going wide as they get two strong runs from their wingers.
Another penalty allows Ben Donaldson to kick inside ten metres for the driving maul, with Carlo Tizzano again held up over the line.
Force 7-0: The Brumbies almost respond as a nice kick from Declan Meredith almost finds Kadin Pritchard on the 22.
The hosts quickly break away and they'll go on the attack on halfway.
Force 7-0: Vaiolini Ekuasi opens the scoring for the Force after a powerful start.
The Brumbies defend the five metre maul, but are no match for the powerful back-rower in close.
The hosts keep their strong start going as the Brumbies give away the penalty for offside.
It allows Donaldson to put the ball inside five metres and they'll have penalty advantage, with Carlo Tizzano held up over the line by a great Rob Valetini tackle.
The Force are showing their hand early with a frenetic start to the game.
Ben Donaldson smartly takes the line from inside his 22 and then produces a cross-field kick, only for an error to give the visitors a chance to strike.
The Brumbies make metres but Nathan Hastie collects Corey Toole's soccer for a smart mark.
Both teams are out on the park and this game is underway as Declan Meredith launches it high into the sky!
Carlo Tizzano leads the Western Force out in his 50th game for his hometown club.
Meanwhile, nice tough from the Brumbies with the heritage jerseys.
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Western Force-ACT Brumbies match at HBF Park.
It's been a scrappy round of Rugby, which concludes with two teams who enter the season with plenty of intrigue around their squads.
Conditions are boiling in the west, with extended water breaks and half-time expected throughout the game.
Keep an eye on Kadin Pritchard for the Brumbies on starting debut, while the inclusion of Franco Molina adds serious quality to the Force pack.
Tries: Ekuasi
Cons: Donaldson 1/1
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jeremy Williams (c), Franco Molina, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Divad Palu, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
BRUMBIES (1-15): James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Rhys van Nek, Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Toby Macpherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie
The Force's clash with the Brumbies will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
